Holy smoke - Lisa’s on fire for ex-Celtic player’s cancer charity

Staff Reporter

East Dunbartonshire charity campaigner Lisa Hague never thought she’d walk over hot coals for any man – but she did for ex-Celtic player John Hartson’s cancer charity.

The 30-year-old, who is engaged to Hoops hero Kris Commons, was speaking after joining Insane Fight Club wrestler Grado, Clyde FC assistant boss Bob Malcolm and 20 supporters of the John Hartson Foundation for the charity’s first Grab Life by the Balls fundraising firewalk.

Lisa, from Bearsden, said: “I never thought I’d walk on coals for any man – trust it to be for John Hartson!

“After supporting lots of John’s events, it’s great to see so many new faces at this one. It shows the good work the team are doing in getting the charity’s Grab Life by the Balls message out there and raising awareness of testicular cancer.

“It was an amazing experience and I hope anyone who hasn’t tried it will come along next time and support the Foundation.”

The charity event, at Mar Hall, near Glasgow, also left Ayrshire wrestler Grado fired up for his upcoming ICW title fight with arch rival Drew Galloway.

Grado, whose real name is Graeme Stevely, was appointed an ambassador for the charity in August and helped launch its #knowyourballs testicular cancer awareness campaign.

He faces fellow Ayrshireman Drew Galloway at ICW: Fear & Loathing VIII at Glasgow’s SECC on Sunday, November 15, and the sell-out event is billed as the biggest in the wrestling company’s history.

Grado said: “I was worried about the firewalk beforehand but the adrenalin rushed through me and I went for it and nailed it. If I can walk through fire then I can beat Drew Galloway for the ICW heavyweight title in front of 4,000 fans.”

Each firewalker pledged to raise at least £100 sponsorship which will help the Foundation continue its work raising awareness of testicular cancer and providing support to people with cancer and their families.

The Grab Life by the Balls Firewalk was the latest event being held to celebrate the John Hartson Foundation’s fifth anniversary this year. The charity was set up in 2010 following the ex-Wales internationalist’s battle with testicular cancer which spread to his lungs and brain and left him fighting for life.

Last month (October) John hosted the Foundation’s anniversary ball in Glasgow’s City Hotel, when £50,000 was raised for the charity.

Blaze Firewalking, which pioneered firewalking for charities in 1984 and has featured on TV shows such as A Question of Sport, Blue Peter and Britain’s Next Top Model, hosted the firewalk which was held jointly with Isle of Bute-based charity Calum’s Cabin.

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